The Board of Directors of the Altria Group has voted to authorize the spin-off of all shares of Kraft Foods Inc. owned by Altria to Altria’s shareholders. The distribution of the approximately 89% of Kraft’s outstanding shares owned by Altria will be made on March 30, 2007 to Altria shareholders.

Among the many 2007 new products that Kellogg is bringing to the market are several cereals, bars, waters and snacks geared toward health and wellness needs. Smart Start is a nationally available cold cereal, which contains ingredients that may help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol.

Special K Protein Meal and Snack Bars offer convenient solutions to help consumers stay on track with their weight management goals. Special K2O Protein Waters contain five grams of protein and are available in three fruit flavors. Special K Honey Nut cereal bars blend nuts and golden honey in 90-calorie bars.

FDA is proposing to define the term, “gluten-free,” for voluntary use in the labeling of foods. Gluten-free labeling would assist those with celiac disease who must limit their intake of gluten-based grains such as wheat, barley and rye-and possibly oats.

Gluten is a specific complex of proteins that forms when wheat flour is mixed with a liquid and physically manipulated, such as in the kneading of bread. For those with celiac disease, avoiding all traces of gluten in the diet can help minimize the health risks of the disease, which affects the small intestine.

FDA proposes to define “gluten-free” to mean that a food bearing this claim does not contain any ingredient that is a prohibited grain, any ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain that has not been processed to remove the gluten, any ingredient derived from a prohibited grain that has been processed to remove gluten if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of more than 20 ppm of gluten, or any food with more than 20 ppm of gluten. For more information, visit http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/glutqa.html.

ABF Ingredients is investing $4.5 million to expand its yeast extracts and proteins manufacturing facilities. In the US, Provesta Flavor Ingredients began the expansion of its Torula yeast extracts at its Boyceville, WI, site. This expansion will be fully operational some time this year. New capacity in Protient’s Norfolk, NE, plant came on line late last year. The new plant will manufacturer milk protein isolates.

CoolBrands International is selling its yogurt division to Lily Acquision LLC. CoolBrands Dairy, a divison, manufactures cup yogurt in its North Lawrence, NY, plant under the Breyers and Crème Savers brands. The transaction is expected to close this month.

Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC) hired Nadim Khan as business development manager, technical services. Khan has worked in industry in a variety of technical positions within the agrifood sector for seven years and worked for PAX International for 10 years.

3M completed the acquisition of Biotrace International PLC, a Bridgend UK-based manufacturer and supplier of industrial microbiology products used in food processing safety. The company says the acquisition allows it to provide food processors with a broader range of products that complement its 3M Petrifilm Plate product.

Emery Bowser has joined Austin AECOM as manager of business development. He is responsible for promoting the company’s facility design and construction services for the food and beverage sector.